Carmela Soprano's Pizza - Ah Beetz'

There's a new moon tonight.

Sometimes a new moon means it's the perfect time to do something new.

And sometimes it's the perfect time to enjoy an old favourite.

Charmaine Bucco's chapter Cooking for the Whole Famiglia in Artie's

The Sopranos Family Cookbook has some nice realistic recipes.

No Penne alla Vodka for Charmaine.

Gather your family and friends and enjoy some Pizza.

Hint:

An envelope of yeast is equal to a Tablespoon.

The tins and jars of yeast are cheaper than the sets of 3 envelopes.

If you're making the 6 pizzas, divide the dough and knead a quarter at a time.

                        Pizza

Serves 6 - 8 (1 pizza)                                             Serves 50 (6 pizzas)

In a bowl combine

1 1/3 Cups warm water                                               8 Cups

1 Tablespoon yeast                                                      6 Tablespoons

Let sit 1 minute, then stir until the yeast dissolves.

In a large bowl combine

3 1/2 Cups flour                                                           21 Cups                  

2 teaspoons salt                                                           1/4  Cup

Add the yeast mixture.

Stir until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough out and knead on a floured surface,

adding more flour if necessary.

Knead about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Lightly coat a large bowl with oil.

Place dough in oiled bowl.

Rotate dough to cover with oil.

Cover with plastic wrap.

Let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

Grease a 15 x 10 x 1 inch cookie pan.                  Grease 6 cookie pans.

Flatten the dough.

Place the dough in the pan and stretch to fit.

Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest 1 hour.

The Sauce

In a large saucepan combine                               In a dutch oven  combine

2 pounds fresh plum tomatoes,                           12 pounds fresh plum tomatoes

    peeled, seeded and chopped or                            or

    1  28 ounce can crushed tomatoes                  6   28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 clove garlic, finely chopped                               6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 Cup olive oil                                                       1 1/2 Cups olive oil

salt                                                                                  salt

Bring to a simmer.

Cook, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes.

Add

4 fresh basil leaves, torn into bits                       24 fresh basil leaves, torn into bits

Let the sauce cool.

Preheat oven to 450º

With your fingertips, firmly press the dough to make

dimples about an inch apart all over the surface.

Leaving a 1/2 inch border around, spread the sauce over the dough.

Bake 20 minutes.

Remove the pizza(s) from the oven.

Arrange over the top

12 ounces mozzarella, thinly sliced             4 1/2 pounds mozzarella, thinly sliced

Sprinkle with

1/2 Cup grated Parmesan or Romano          3 Cups grated Parmesan or Romano

Drizzle with

olive oil                                                                    olive oil

Return the pizza(s) to the oven.

Bake 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is browned.

Cut into squares and serve hot.

Would I make Carmela's Pizza again?

No.

It's nice enough.

I just prefer Ma's pizza.